Oyster knows what travelers look for in hotels. When we review properties in person around the world, we evaluate how every feature stacks up against the competition, from the rooms to the pools to the restaurants. So if you're planning a posh getaway and need a place to start, you've come to the right place. Take a look at our expert top picks for luxury in Riviera Nayarit and get inspired!
This luxurious 120-room enclave is located in posh Punta Mita, and smartly sited on 22 acres amid undulating fairways and verdant tropical gardens. It's one of the most luxurious properties in the region, and every element is stunning: the three fabulous beachside pools, the acres of peaceful gardens, the ultra-luxurious spa, and the immaculate rooms that look straight out of a decor magazine. The stretch of white-sand beach on-site is interspersed with rocky coves, and there are a couple of pretty little islets just offshore.
The Four Seasons has been around for over two decades, but it still wows with its manicured grounds, elegant rooms and outstanding restaurants. The hotel offers a slew of activities both for adults and kids, including ten tennis courts, three pools, a full-service spa and access to two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses. Docked at Marina Riviera Nayarit, located a few miles to the south, is a private 10-person yacht for day trips and entertaining that guests can rent by the hour.
The Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa features three- and four-bedroom, two-story villas overlooking a curvy swimming pool and small private beach. Villa interiors are chic and stylishly contemporary with gourmet kitchens, flat-screen TVs, media rooms, free Wi-Fi, laundry rooms, and secure garages. Some villas have private pools and rooftop Jacuzzis with sweeping views out to the Pacific Ocean. Additional perks include a lavish spa and sunny fitness room. For a family or group looking to rent a large house rather than rooms in a hotel, this is a fabulous option.
Haramara is a luxurious yoga retreat located on 12 seaside acres of wild vegetation just outside Sayulita. Each room is housed in a elegant standalone thatched hut with no window panes or screens separating it from the jungle, and no electricity whatsoever. It is geared towards those in need of some detoxification and relaxation, with yoga and meditation classes, an open-air spa, a vegetarian and seafood restaurant, unpaved trails, and limited cell phone service.
This secluded, romantic retreat is tucked away in a beachfront spot in the jungle outside Sayulita. It offers 25 beautiful rooms housed in standalone huts built using natural local materials and offering ocean or jungle views, rustic-chic decor, terraces, and no window panes. The idea is to deliver an unplugged, in-touch-with-nature vacation, so rooms have no TVs, while cell phone and Internet service are limited to some common areas. The beautiful infinity pool, gorgeous massage huts, tasty restaurants, and private sandy beach are all highlights.
Every room here is a suite, offering extra living space, a balcony with ocean views, and luxurious touches such as Nespresso machines and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. The impressive features include an infinity pool with three levels overlooking the beach, a decadent spa with 20 treatment rooms where guests can choose from over 60 treatments options, and four upscale restaurants.
Hotel Cinco is a 12-suite luxury boutique hotel on the beach, with two pools, a gym, and the Punta Mita branch of Puerto Vallarta's finest restaurant, the Café Des Artistes, on the ground floor. Luxurious multi-room suites come feature fully equipped kitchens with Viking appliances, beautifully finished woodwork, and large furnished ocean view terraces. For those seeking a luxurious Punta Mita vacation without fencing themselves off from Mexican reality, this is a great spot.